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Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

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5 views

Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

Uploaded by

karinawong223
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 2 - Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

Definitions

Variable: a symbol used to represent an unspecified number. For example, x and yare
variables in the expression 2x + y

Coefficient: the factor by which a variable is multiplied. For example, in the term 5x, the
coefficient is 5.

Constant: A value in a mathematical expression or formula that does not change. For example,
in the expression 3x + 2, the 2 is a constant.

Algebraic Expression: A collection of symbols, including one or more variables and possibly
numbers and operation symbols. For example, 3x+6, x, 7y, 21-2w are all algebraic expressions.

Equation: A mathematical statement in which the value on the left side of the equal sign is the
same as the value on the right side of the equal sign. For example, the equation 5n + 4 = 39
means that 4 more than a product of 5 and a number equals 39.

Solving a Linear Equation

In this lesson we will look at solving the equation algebraically.

By solving algebraically, we can determine the exact solution.

When solving using the graph, we can find an approximate solution.

For example, solving 4x - 2 = 9 using both methods:

1. Solve by graphing 2. Solve algebraically


Unit 2 - Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

Solving equations with variables on both sides

1) Remove brackets using the distributive property


2) Use opposite operations to move all variable terms to the same side of the equation
3) Collect like terms
4) Use opposite operations to isolate and solve the variable.

Examples:

Solve each of the following equations. Verify your solutions using substitution.

a)

b)

c)
Unit 2 - Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

Solving equations involving fractions

1) Follow the same steps as usual, applying opposite operations

OR

1) Find a common denominator for each term in the equation


2) Multiply each term in the equation by the common denominator (eliminating all fractions)
3) Solve the equation using opposite operations

Examples:

Solve each of the following equations. Verify your solutions using substitution.

a)

b)

c)
Unit 2 - Lesson 4 - Solving Equations Algebraically

Solving word problems

1) Define your variables


2) Set up an equation to represent the situation
3) Solve the equation for the desired variable/unknown.

Example:

The length of a rectangle is 5 cm more than its width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 25 cm.
Determine the dimensions of the rectangle. Include a diagram in your answer.

More Examples: Solve the following problems by first representing each scenario with an
equation, then solving algebraically.

1. A dance class company charges $225 per dance class plus a $25 registration fee. If Amy
paid $925 for her classes, how many classes did she sign up for?

2. A Blu-ray player costs $75 more than a DVD player. Together they cost $725. What is the
price of each player?

3. Members of Mr. Luymes’s class and Mr. Nucciarelli’s class collected canned food for a food
drive. Mr. Nucciarelli’s class collected 2 times the number of cans that Mr. Luymes’s class
collected. Between the two classes there were a total of 60 cans collected. How many cans did
each class collect?

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